April 27, 2021 — As everyone begins to get out and about more, we know many are starting to finally take care of important matters they’ve basically put on hold for the past year — postponed medical procedures, non-essential surgeries, necessary dental work. For our founder, Jodee, it was cataract surgery. (Her doc explained that, because she was too young for it to be age-related, the retina must have detached slightly when her car was rear-ended years ago. 😳)

After Jodee had filled out the reams of paperwork and was waiting her turn for the 10-minute procedure yesterday, she opened an email from our graphic designer, Brandon. She found it so cool and soothing that she forwarded it to me with the thought that we share it with you …

“Whenever I’m undergoing an unpleasant medical or dental procedure,” he explained, “I rely on what I know to be your favorite calming technique: Gratitude. To keep my mind on the positive and not dwell on the procedure or possible pain, I keep telling myself ‘I am so lucky and grateful to have:

  • access to medical care
  • experts addressing the problem for me
  • the miracle of modern anesthesia
  • insurance and income to pay for this
  • the good fortune to resolve medical issues that — in many parts of the world and in generations before me — would have been much more serious or even lethal’

Good luck today! -B”

Jodee found that message so life-affirming that she said it helped make the procedure a breeze. Then she laughed, “I would just add to Brandon’s list that I also feel lucky and grateful to have the patience and presence of mind to go over my lifelong medical history with admissions, then again (why?!) with two attendees, fill out no less than 27 consent forms and initial two dozen more!” 🤯😉

Follow this link to find a collection of Feel Better cards for anyone you know possibly facing some health challenges of their own. Let’s take good care of ourselves, Cardies! As wise Judy Cortner wrote us recently, “Self-care is taking good care of the gift we’ve been given.”

Felicia Elenum
Cardie Community Manager